Hiker Headlines: WTA Winter Safety, Work on Hurricane Hill Lodge, Fun in the Snow
Join WTA for a talk about winter safety in January. Be prepared for a road closure and heavy traffic in some areas. Washington State Parks wants your input on signage. The Great American Outdoors Act has allocated funding for improvement projects to the Hurricane Ridge day lodge. And, there are some new fun things to do this winter in Washington!
It’s December 8. Join WTA for a talk about winter safety in January. Be prepared for a road closure and heavy traffic in some areas. Washington State Parks wants your input on signage. The Great American Outdoors Act has allocated funding for improvement projects to the Hurricane Ridge day lodge. And, there are some new fun things to do this winter in Washington! Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.
Washington State Parks is seeking the public's input on the best ways to update their outdoor recreation sign manual. Photo by Wendy Wheeler Jacobs.
WTA event: Are you dreaming of winter outings with friends and family? Winter hiking and snowshoeing are fun for the whole family but require additional safety considerations and planning. Join WTA at Washington Trails Association Presents: Winter Safety at Meridian Habitat Park in Puyallup on Jan. 7, 2023 from 11 a.m. to noon. We'll help you learn how plan, research where to go and prepare for your next outdoor experience. It’s free to attend, but please register online beforehand.
Road closures and delays: Skate Creek Road (FR-52) is now closed for the season from milepost 5.7 on the north end near Ashford to milepost 18.5 on the south end near Packwood — this road closure affects access to the Silver Creek Trail. Additionally, Leavenworth is in holiday mode, so be prepared for heavy traffic and possible local road closures due to large crowds.
Sign manual update: The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is updating Washington State Parks’ sign manual — which provides a standard for park signage throughout the state — due to Washington’s increasing population. The public is invited to give input on what updates should be made to signage through an online survey open through Dec. 12) or by submitting a comment.
Funding for improvements: The Great American Outdoors Act has awarded $10.8 million to Olympic National Park for construction projects at the Hurricane Ridge day lodge. Projects will include improvements to the interior — including to the electrical and plumbing systems and elevator — and the exterior — including accessibility features and concrete and asphalt work — of the building. During construction, the lodge will be closed from approximately April 2023 to May 2024.
Fun in the snow: Snow recreation can be really fun; this year there are more opportunities than ever to get outside. Washington State Parks is adding more sno-parks along the I-90 corridor including one at Annette Lake (don’t forget to grab a sno-park permit). If you’re interested in spending the night at a backcountry hut, the Mount Tahoma Trails Association backcountry huts — High Hut, Copper Creek, The Yurt and Snow Bowl — near Mount Rainier are now open and the new Fortune Creek Huts near Cle Elum are open. Be sure to check WTA to get all the information you need to be a safe and savvy outdoorsperson this winter season.
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